Wordless Wednesday: Up Close

May 2011

Hello Monday!

Well--
It is Monday and I never did get around to finishing my Tuesday post last week--so we will just move on and deal with the new week, shall we? It has been several weeks since I have shared a mailbox post, but I haven't really received too many new treasures so this will be pretty easy. I did just download several free picks to my Kindle but will share those in a later post.

Mailbox Monday travels from host to host each month and this month, Mari is graciously hosting. Thanks!


1. From Guideposts:













*****Following Jane Austen Ruined My Life and Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart, Beth Pattillo returns with her new novel. Inspired by Sense and Sensibility, The Dashwood Sisters Tell All follows two modern-day sisters as they set out on a walking tour of Jane Austen's England and uncover what might actually be Jane's long-lost diary.

Ellen and Mimi Dodge have never been close, but their mother's dying wish sends them on a walking tour of Hampshire, England, that follows in the footsteps of Jane Austen. Their mother also left them something else: a diary that belonged to Jane's sister Cassandra. These pages shed light on the secrets that nearly tore the Austen sisters apart and inspired one of the greatest love stories of all time. They also bring Jane to life in a way that no one has ever seen before: through the eyes of her sister. As the Dodge sisters embark on their walking tour, they too are drawn together in ways they never expected. They also discover that Cassandra's diary holds secrets, and someone doesn't want Ellen and Mimi to discover the truth. As they stumble on their way toward love, the women learn how Jane and Cassandra Austen inspired the original Marianne and Elinor Dashwood and come to realize that despite their very different personalities, they are a vital part of each other's happy endings.*****

2. A read-a-thon prize from Simon & Schuster:













***** First-person narrator Sarah Nickerson is a 37-year-old, overachieving multitasker with a Harvard MBA and a demanding job as vice president of human relations at a Boston consulting firm. Her husband, Bob, works at a struggling tech start-up and shares in the upbringing of their three young children in an affluent suburb. Then there’s a car accident on a rainy November morning, and a traumatic brain injury leaves Sarah with “left neglect,” a lack of awareness of anything to her left, including the left side of her own body. The one person who can help when insurance runs out is Sarah’s mother, Helen, yet their relationship has been rocky ever since Helen was a virtually absentee mother for Sarah after Sarah’s brother, Nate, died in childhood. As Sarah’s struggles parallel those of her 7-year-old son, Charlie, just diagnosed with ADHD, there is healing of body, mind, and mother-daughter relationship and acceptance that “normal is overrated.” Neuroscientist Genova (Still Alice, 2009) once again personalizes an actual disabling brain condition to create irresistibly readable and moving fiction. --Michele Leber *****


3. From Guideposts:













**** Readers who overlook the uninviting title will be treated to a thoroughly original take on a familiar literary conceit. Margot Delacroix is dead as the story opens, but has become a guardian angel named Ruth, sent back to guard herself reliving her life, following the four rules of guardian angelhood: witness, protect, record, love. Ruth can affect what Margot does, a little. The life that unfolds, or re-unfolds, is harsh and filled with bad choices, but Ruth is there to give protection and nudges that may-or may not-be followed. Ruth is particularly anxious to better understand why her/Margot's teenage son ended up in jail for murder, and she sees a chance to make a difference, at great cost. Debut novelist Jess-Cooke, who lives in England, is a lovely writer; Ruth's narrative voice is compelling. The writer's fertile imagination generates a host of minor characters throughout Margot's life, all of whom have well-characterized guardian angels interacting with Ruth. The interplay of the planes of angelic and earthly existence is an insistent tease that reels the reader in and along. ****


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What are you reading on Mondays? is hosted each week by hostess, Sheila from One Person's Journey Through a World of Books.

Because I ahe been knitting up a storm, I have been finding myself with more limited reading time. The book I am currently engrossed in a the moment, is a review book, called, The Summer of the Bear.













I think after finishing this one, I will pick a story off my Kindle--but I need to check my challenge blog and see if there are some challenges I am falling behind on. I tell you--too many great books, and not enough time!

Tell me! What are you reading?

Hi to all! I have not forgotten you and I hope you haven't forgotten me! I have missed my blog, and visiting all of you too. Something about this time of year makes me feel that life is occurring at warp speed and it is all I can do to hang on for the ride. Anyway--here is what is new with me, aka, that which is keeping me from blogging as much I would like, in bullets and photos.

Our 2nd Grandgirl arrived on Easter Sunday, and is just precious little bundle of cuddling joy. Amelia is the bigger cuddler of the two girls which is kind of fun! Big sister Adelaide was not a big fan of that little baby in the house, and would not acknowledge her for the first 4 days! She is doing much better now, but I still do not have a photo of the two girls together.

Oops--I hit publish but haven't finished. I will finish this post this weekend-for now--enjoy the pictures!

The Sunday Salon: daybook

Outside my window:Well, our rainiest April ever, is appearing to keep on going into May. Rain, wind, and a few sun breaks. The good news is that our grass is really green!

I am thinking: I much I love being a Mimi and Mother. How full and rich my life is because of all of these young souls.

I am listening to: Pandora: Big Band

I am grateful for: A husband that has planned a day to pamper me tomorrow.

I am reading: I just finished Staying At Daisy's this afternoon and I am not really sure what I am going to read next--the list is endless. I think The Summer of the Bear is on the list and Prayers For Sale is also calling my name.

I am photographing: My son Sam went to State Music Contest last weekend, playing his baritone Sax. I took lots of photos--here are my favorites:




I am listing: Nothing~

I am creating: I am still working on a little knitted dress for 2 week old Amelia, and I have yarn all ready to go to make both she and big sissy Adelaide matching vests for the Fall.

To live my faith: Early service tomorrow for church, and then out for a nice lunch.

I am hoping and praying: No one else gets the stomach flu my husband battled most of last week.

Around the house: Eeek! Laundry coming out my ears due to not getting any done last weekend when we were out of town for the music competition.

From the kitchen: I am trying this new recipe next week--looks yummy and cheesey.

One of my favorite things this week: Listening to my boy play music~

The child this week: Getting ready for Jazz concert at school that is quickly approaching, volunteering next weekend at the Post Office where my husband works--helping with the big canned food drive.

Plans for the week: Plug away at getting caught up at work, knitting and of course, lots of reading.

Bookish Internet Tidbits: While visiting Sue's blog, Book By Book, this week, I discovered a couple of great websites she had highlighted, revolving around bookmarks. Pre-owned bookmarks, and Forgotten Bookmarks.

Happy Reading, and Happy Mother's Day wished to all my fellow mothers!

Once Upon a Marigold

Book: Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris
Pages: 266
Finished: April 2011
Challenges:
** Spring Reading Thing** Once Upon a Time ** A-Z **






From Publisher's Weekly:

{{In a gratifying fantasy that contains elements of classic fairy tales, Ferris (Love Among the Walnuts) breathes new life into archetypal characters by adding unexpected and often humorous dimensions to their personalities. The protagonist, Christian, has been raised in the forest by a troll named Edric. As he nears manhood, Christian decides it is time to see the world-or at least the section across the river, where the lovely Princess Marigold resides. Having spent many hours gazing at Marigold through a telescope and corresponding with her by "p-mail" (letters sent by carrier pigeon), he has already felt the sting of Cupid's arrow by the time he lands a job in court. Marigold readily returns his affections, but unfortunately, she is about to become betrothed to Sir Magnus. Meanwhile, Marigold's evil mother, Queen Olympia, is plotting to murder both Marigold and her kindly, doting father, King Swithbert. Readers swept into the lighthearted spirit of this novel will likely not be bothered by the predictability of outcomes. As in fairy tales of old, jabs are made at social values and norms, and concepts of nobility and ignobility are painted in very broad strokes. Nonetheless, heroes and heroines emerge as convincing, well-rounded characters embodying flaws as well as virtues. Their foibles-Edric's tendency to mix up adages, Christian's stubborn streak and Marigold's penchant for "awful" jokes-make the good guys all the more endearing}}

My Thoughts:

To quote the front cover: "Part Comedy, part love story, part everything but the kitchen sink"!! This was a very delightful story--easy to read, fun little characters, and perfect for the read-a-thon, which is when I read it!